Education

Clinical decision making and the challenges of responding to mental health needs

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

The paramedic service responds to emergency calls for a variety of reasons, many relating to mental health concerns. This qualitative study aims to explore the views and experiences of student paramedics in relation to clinical decision making for mental health calls. Focus groups were used to investigate the participants' perspectives. Thematic analysis was used to organise data and identify key issues. Findings suggested some disparity between what paramedic students were prepared for and the...

Interdisciplinary work integrated learning: a pilot evaluation instrument

Background: Work integrated learning (WIL) activities—sometimes termed student placements, practice-based learning, cooperative education or workplace learning activities—are embedded into university course curricula to prepare students for future professional environments. Aims: This study evaluates an interdisciplinary and multiagency WIL activity undertaken by university students (<i>n</i>=14). Methods: Pre- and post-activity survey instruments were used to gain perspectives on student...

Nearly qualified student paramedics' perceptions of reflection and use in practice

Reflection is embedded in a variety of higher education healthcare programmes, and is a continuing professional development requirement for paramedics (Health and Care Professions Council, 2012; 2014). The listed benefits of reflection include incorporation and exploration of an evidence base into a clinician's practice; avoidance of routine practice; identification of shortfalls in knowledge; and identification of learning needs by the reflector (Jasper et al, 2013). Nine nearly qualified...

A tactical analgesic option for Durham and Cleveland police firearms medics: the journey

Background:With an ever-increasing exposure to clinical situations, predominantly trauma, firearms medics at Durham and Cleveland police forces began to consider whether an increase in their scope of practice was needed; specifically, whether they could add analgesia administration to their clinical protocols.Considerations:The request was directed to the Tactical Medical Advisory Group (TMAG). This faculty comprises a clinical lead, emergency medicine doctors, military and civilian paramedics...

Human factors in student paramedic practice

Human factors affect paramedic practice and training. However, although there are frequent references to human factors in the literature, little evidence on this is available on those that influence student paramedic development. A personal experience as a student paramedic highlighted certain human factors unique to the role, most notably how interactions between students and mentors can affect a student's practice. Following this, the awareness and effect of human factors within the student...

Examining the benefits of paramedic engagement for the novice researcher

Background:Paramedics new to research need to know how to optimise the quality of proposed research studies. A prehospital mixed-methods study design required guidance, not only from an academic perspective but also from experts within paramedicine. Paramedic engagement was defined as an exercise where paramedic researchers and paramedic clinical academics could be involved as advisory professionals.Aim:The aim of this paramedic engagement was the revision of a proposed research design on how...

A qualitative exploration of current paramedic cardiac auscultation practices

This exploratory study addresses the current paucity of knowledge available in UK paramedic practice in relation to cardiac auscultation. There is a recognised lack of data surrounding the efficacy, safety and relevance of patient assessment skills in the pre-hospital setting in general, and cardiac auscultation specifically. This study provides information about current paramedic practice, and provides a basis for further research in this area. An online survey was distributed using convenience...

Student paramedic views of an international clinical and cultural learning experience

Background:Universities are now frequently exploring international placements and learning experiences for paramedicine students. This has given rise to questions about the quality and meaningfulness of overseas student experiences within the paramedic curriculum.Aim:This study investigates whether a university-organised overseas trip provided a useful clinical and cultural learning experience for undergraduate paramedicine students.Methods:A 60-question survey was administered to participants,...

Building psychological resilience in the paramedic

Paramedics face the need to be critically introspective, reflective and reflexive every working day. Their work involves not only the functional need to clinically assess, diagnose and manage critically ill and injured members of the public, but also a situated responsiveness to the scenes of severe trauma and death. Few other professions demand such an acute degree of personal and professional resilience; an underpinning education is therefore pivotal to facilitate the development of this...

Safe transfer of simulation-based intubation skills to patients in cardiac arrest

Background:Studies investigating the transfer of endotracheal intubation skills from simulation training to out-of-hospital patient scenarios are limited.Aims:The aim was to evaluate the outcome of endotracheal intubation simulation training among paramedics and the safe transfer of skills to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients.Methods:Paramedics participated in a 1-day simulation training course including five Airtraq endotracheal intubation attempts using three different types of...

Integrating aged care in the curriculum: the importance of design and evaluation

Background:The current study describes the design and implementation of a residential aged care facility placement, and reports student experiences using an attitudinal survey across two cohorts.Method:Placements in January 2014 and 2015 were surveyed to identify barriers and enablers to student learning. Descriptive analysis was used to report the frequency of responses for categorical variables. Chi-square tests were used to analyse change in item rank by year. Content analysis was used to...

An innovation in mental health specialty placements

The current article describes how an innovative approach to mental health training for student paramedics can prepare the future workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality care. Action research methodology is used to describe the delivery and evaluation of the placement, identifying its key and sustainable learning impacts for all involved. Key to its success was the co-production of the placement from beginning to end, including service users and qualified...

Time for Dementia: an innovation in education

This paper describes an innovative undergraduate educational initiative called the Time for Dementia programme. It was developed to improve the knowledge, attitudes and skills in dementia among healthcare students. Time for Dementia involves pairs of healthcare students (medical, paramedic, adult and mental health nursing, and allied health professionals) visiting a person with dementia and their carer in their homes over a period of 2 years. The aim of the programme is to enable students to...

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